Peach-pitting machine



April 2o 1926.

J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1924 a@ WW- atbogmg April 20 ,-1926. 1,581,482 .J

' J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9. 1924 8 sheets-sn't 2 April 20 1926.v 1,581,482

- J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 /lpLEms /8 (11H01 wu! v April 20, 1926. 1,581,482

v J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1924 8 Sh't-SShe-evb 4 o A, /3 Waff f? /4 w www? April 20 1926. 1,581,482 J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE FiIedYMay 9, 1924 8 sheet'sshee 5 31a/vento@ April 20,1926. 1,581,482

' J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9I 1924 8 sheets-sheet e alike/wu;

April 20 1926.

1,581,482 J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 P17' HALF @a QQ@ Jost-PH 1.0 55M.

wf GWW;

April 20 1926.

J. P. BEM

PEACH FITTING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1924 8 SheWt-S-Shec 8 Patented 20, v1926.

UNITED STATES-- PATENT oFFIcE.,

JOSEPH P. REM, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 PACIFIO FITTING MACHINE COMPANY INC., OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

Application led May 9,

To 'all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P..BEM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented new anduseful Improvements in a Peach-FittingV Machine, of which the following is a specification and which is illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

This invention -relates to peach-pitting machines in general, but'particularly to a certain' machine described in my United States joint patent on a Peach pitter issued Jan. 15, 1924. I

The principal object of my present invention is to eect a better operation of the machine as a whole, with a resulting more perfect product.

This is accomplished severally through improved locating means allowingbet-ter for inequalities at the stem end of the fruit, a bettermethod of removing the locating devices preparatory to bisecting the peach without displacing it, a positive actuation of theimpaling arms, more permanent impaling needles, improved gripping means during the pitting period preventingthe fruit from Slipping, improved drive to the bi' secting device, improved operation of'the pitting blades, means controlled by the operation of the machine or the fruit for recording the output, and improved general clutch control, as well as other improvements to the mechanism contributing to the more per'-l manent (3o-operation of its functioning parts. I attain my objective outlined above, by the vconstruction shown in the drawings hereto and in which Figure lhisfa perspective view of my co'mplete machine With part of the protective casing removed from the frame to reveal the 1nechanism. Figure 2 iS a side view of the machine, and Figure 3 is a rear view thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view, looking down at an angle, of one set of the several sets of peach centering andpeach gripping devices which project from the carrier, and shows a peach dotted in position. The View.

1924. Serial No. 712,060,

is taken from the open side of the carrier opposite the side shown in Figure 2.

Figures 5 and G' show, somewhat more enlarged, progressive removal 4of the fruit centering devices. Figure 7 shows in similar enlargement to Figure 4 the relation of the various devices to half peaches at a point between the pittingtable and point of discharge of the pitted halves of the fruit.

Figure 8 is an approximately full size side elevation of one of the oscillating pitting blades. Figure 9 is a cross section of Figure 8 taken along the line 9-9 thereof, and Figure 10 is a diagrammatic' representation showing the angular position of the blade 1n entering and leaving a half peach in cutting around the half pit.

Figure 11 is a detail sketch of the linkf Figure 14 an enlarged detail showing the operation of the resilient bloom end seat.

Before taking up a detailed description of4 Yage for operating the impaling pins.l lFigure the drawings it might be stated that since the general functioning of' this improved machin'e'is similar in mostrespects to my former joint patented machine alluded to, this specification will be shortened by referring to said other patent for a general description of the operation of the machine,

and will only deal with the improved construction realizing the improvements above enumerated.

In the drawings a frame 1 Supports the various elements and is normally covered' over with any suitable covering to enclose the mechanism and is provided with a suitv able opening for insertion of the fruit, also openings for discharge-of the fruit and pits.

A revolving carrier is shown at 2 supported on a stationary. shaft 17 and carrying several sets of fruit receiving devices, 4 and 5, fruit inhaling devices, and clamping devices 7 The carrier is intermittently actuated by' a suitably wired and conveniently switched motor 8 through suitable mechanical transmission mechanism, and it travels in the direction of the arrow to pass the fruit over the saw 9 for bisecting it then to present it over the pitting tables 10 all as described in the former patent/mentioned.

Figure 4 shows in larger representation the position of one set of fruit receiving and associated elements at the fruit receiving position with a peach dotted in place. At 4 is shown the resiliently mount-ed ring-shaped seat or cup for receiving the bloom end 0r tip of the peach, and at 5 is the stem end locating device which latter 1s a hollow socket or open ended tube transversely slotted at 11 to provide for easy release of, or scraper to discharge any, broken piece of stern which might have lodged within the device. The device is thus made hollow so that it will straddle any small piece of stem as frequently left on a peach and center the peach by seating itself in the depression around the stem. v

The stem end locating device is carried by an arm 12 and is adjustable therein by being threaded thereto and with a clamp nut at 13, for accurately positioning it over the center of member 4 and it is also adjustable axially of member 4 by the threaded extension 14 as formerly.

The arm 12 is pivotally and slidably supported` between two standards 15 so that it can be first lifted to clear the peach and then swung in the plane of the revolution of the carrier to withdraw it for clearing the saw after the peach has been centered from opposite sides of the pit in the impaling devices 6.

The operation of the various devices projecting from the carrier is effected as previously through stationary cams 16 attached to the fixed shaft 17 on which the carrier revolves. The cams are double acting, i. e. have an undulating groove around one side of a disk, and at one portion of each disk is an opening through the outer rim for insertion of the cam rollers secured to the various sliding arms. The openings are shown in Figure 4 Where these features are visible through the open side of the carrier.

The cani rollers are all revolvably carried at the inner ends ofa plurality of sliding arms' or rods for actuating the various centering and clamping devices. The rods slide radially in fixed tubes or spaced bearings secured to the carrier. i

In Figure 4 the sliding rod which operates the arm 12 is shown y'at 18 and its cam Wheel at 19.Fr This particular rod has a toothed vimpaling' arms 41.

rack 20 in one side meshing with a gear 21 pivoted to a bracket 22 secured to the outside of the carrier and is arranged to revolve the gear back and forth as the rod is moved axially in its supporting tube 23 by the cam. The gear 21 cari'ies a crank arm 24 to which is pivoted a rod l25, in turn pivoted to the end of the arm 12 between the standar s 15. The arm 12 is slotted at 26-and pivoted through this slot to the standards by the pin 27 in such a manner that it will swing to the right (Fig. 5) when the gear 1 is revolved to the right. But in order to make the device 5 ist lift clear of the peach before swinging the arm 12 the latter is restrained from swinging by guides 28, 29 on the stand ards, and which force the arm 12-to first slide bodily outward beyond the ends of the guides and to the end of its slot 26, after which it pivots at the end of the slot and swings to the right and continues until it reaches the position shown in Figure 6. The inner guides 29 areJ bent away' from the standards as shown at 30 to guide the pivoted end of the arm 12 lupon return movement. When the arm 12 is in receiving position as shown 1n Figure 4 it is locked rigidly between tlie guides 28 and 29 and seated at the upper end of the. slot 26 against the pin 27.

t The bloom end seat 4 is surrounded by a circular casing slidably supported on two rods 32, 33. These rods telescope within guiding tubes 34, 35, one of which conceals a suitable spring 36 for resiliently urging the seat outward a limited distance, and the sea-t 1s bodily pulled yinwardly to clear the saw by means of an extension from the telescopic tube 35 directed through the bearing block 37 and having a cam roller against one of the cams 16 in a manner similar to all the other sliding rods.

Figure 14 shows the internal arrangement of the sliding bloom seat support, and at 116 is shown a gravity hook which falls during the rotation of `the carrier and holds the seat in withdrawn position until a peach isv pressed against the seat and upon which the hook drops to permit the seat 4to come out to fit the peach Whether it is large or small. During the sawing and pitting operations the sea-t is of course Withdrawn inwardly by the maincam 16 acting on the cam roller 117.

The tip cutting knife 38 projects through the edge of the circular casing and is connected to a telescopic rod 39 pivoted at both ends and which rod is struck by the knob 4() upon inward movement of the pivoted The impaling arms 41 carry the impaling devices or pins 6 and are both-connected by links 42 for positive (io-operative movement toward and from the peach to a :minimum distance slightly less than the smallest pit thickness. The links are all pivotedV to a sliding rod 43 actuated in and out by the main c am as described for the other rods. This rod is telescopic and has a spring interposed as sketched in Figure 11 so that although the rod is moved positively in and out by the cam it will yield on the outward movement which draws the impaling arms together so that the impaling pins 6 will stop when they strike the opposite sides of .the pit yet sec-urely grip it to carry.l the peach over the saw 9 for bisecting it. L

The impaling pins 6 instead of being solid as formerlyare of channel or U section as indicated in the enlarged diagram in Figure l5.

12, and the pins travel to c rry the yfruit in the direction indicated. I ise this hollow shell form of pin as the hole made by it in the fruit closes up readily after withdrawal, a great advantage over the round pin, but of course other shell forms such as a V or X.

may also be used to gain this end.

Having found it difficult to maintain the alignment', of the wire pins formerly used I now form thepins in pairs as shown, having a large connecting web of metal which stiffens them and affords a firm bolting support tothe arms 41. The web 6 is slotted for adjustment on the clamping bolts 44.

Straddling each impaling arm 41 and loosely pivoted over the arm shafts 45 are clamping arms 46 each having. an extension 47 hooked to a small spri-ng 48 to hold them i' open as far as the position of the impaling same are' over the pitting tables by oscillatarms will permit.

The clamping arms all carry two rubber bands 49 tensioned and 'hooked over small 'arms 50. The bands have a loop at each end and are'so made by proper incorporating of textile lmaterial that they have practically no stretch for-half their length B but are more elastic along the half C (see Figure 4)..I The bands have a ribbed surface as indicated and their object is to serve as yielding clamps for clamping the half peaches against the pitting tables, and the varying elasticity of the bands is for the purpose of holding the fruit by a relatively unstretchable portion'so that the fruit will not be liable to crawl out of position during the action of the pitting knives.

The clamping arms 46 are not operated by the main cams as are the other devices, but are forced against the half peaches when ing shafts 52 Iactuated-at the proper time by one vedge of double cams 53 attached to disk 53 mounted at the base of the machine onY the clutch shaft 64. The shafts 52 are vertically arranged at both sides of the ma'- rchine and bevel geared at their lower ends to a common transverse shaft 54 'and which 'v latter shaft is-rocked by a cam rod 55having a roller bearingagainst the cam 53, the

rod being pulled toward the cam by a powerful spring 56 (see Figure 1).

lAt the upper ends of theshafts 52 are 'curved arms 57 adapted to strike the clamping arms and move them inwardly so that the bands 49 will remove the pitted fruit from the impaling .pins to the chute 58, and at the same time the vshafts function to clamp the halves ofthe next peach o-ver the pitting tables by operating a pivoted armv 59 through pulling of a spring 59, the arm i carrying a roller 60 which strikes the outer ,edges of the clamping arms 46 moving them inwards and forcing the bands'49 tightlyv able pawl engaging ratchet teeth 62 adjust- '9o ably mounted on the rim 0f the shellv 62 functioning substantially as described in the former patent, but the interlocking of the carrier is effected by the shaft 52 which carries an arm with a pair of small rollers 'which intermittently engage opposite sides of the adjustably mounted lockingA brackets 76. The brackets are bolted to the carrier through slots for adjustment to'determine the exact locking positions, and one of the little rollers is resiliently mounted so as to force the bracket tightly against the rigidl one.. These rollers are -numbered 77, the arm 78, and are hidden by the frame of the machinein the general views, tho their .0p-

eration is indicated in Figure 13.

The cams 53 have faces or working edges for operating the shaft 52 and thep'ittingl knife shafts 63 in their proper sequence and are loosely mounted on a shaft 64 carrying half ofa foot operated clutch 65. The otherhalf of the clutch 65 is carried on a gear reduction shaft from the gear reduction in the The reduction driven from a pull 67 onthe outside of the box belted to the motor-Shy a belt 67 The motor also carries a double or two ,pulleys 68 having two duplicate belts 69 driving the circular saw 9 over twosimilar pulleys (not visible in the drawings) mountedA side by side on the saw shaft 70.

At the sides of the saw are Sponges or other resilient capillary devices 71 positioned v in a tank 72 at the lower part of the saw and which tank contains water below the saw into which the spo-nges dip for supply-- ing moisture to the saw sides, very necessary in order to prevent the accumulationlon the saw. of a cementitious material composed of fruit juices and pit saw dust. The tank has gears within the box vare l a spray guard73 extending partly over the saw, and by reason of the main cam action on the impaling arms the peach halves as soon as sawed are lifted over this guard on their way to the pitting tables.

The clutch 65 controls the entire operation of the machine with the exception of f the saw which runs continuously when the power is switched on. The clutch is simiJ lar to any punch press clutch and is tripped by a foot lever 74 which is depressed by the toe of the operators foot while co-operating with a fixed foot rest 75.

Upon depressing the lever 74 the clutch is at once tripped into engagement by the usual type of mechanism which need not be described specifically, and whereupon the disk 53 revolves to intermittently revolve the carrier 2, and the cams 53 through cam rod y 55 intermittently operates the fruit clamping and discharging shafts 52, and through a similar cam rod 87 operates the pitting knife shafts 63 to swing the arched blades through the half peaches in a man,-v

ner substantially as described in the prior.

patent mentioned, but'with the differences hereafter noted.

The blades themselves have been changed in form as shown best in Figure 8 at 79 and are also kept in constant circumferential oscillation while being swung through the peach halves.

This is accomplished by having t-he shafts v63 tubular and of mount-ing within them small shafts which are run continuously from the motor 8 from a small pulley 81 by means of a belt 82 to pulley 83 on a countershaft 84 which is bevel geared through two small transverse shafts concealed by a supporting bracket 85 to the small bevel gears 86 secured to the lower ends of the bladey oscillating shafts 80 and positioned justy above the rock shaft 88 which carries 'the bevel gears 89 which mesh with corresponding bevelv gears 90 on the lower ends of hollow shafts 63 and positioned just above the small ygears 86.

The rock shaft88 is rocked by the arm 91 .through the link 92 which connects with an arm 93 to the jack roek shaft 94 which' is rocked by the cam rod 87. It should be here noted that the cam rod 87 upon actuation by cam 53 does not force the arched blades through the fruit, (as with the former machine) but only returns the blades to starting position, as the blades are both resiliently pulled through the fruitby the cam returning or puil back spring 95 upon falling away of the cam surface in revolving.

Thus the blades are adapted to stop in case anything goes wrong, such as an unusual pit stopping the blade in either half peach.

in ease no peach was in pitting position the blades would find no resistance, and

evident that no further action of the ma? chine should ytake place or the knives would be destroyed. This is automatically cared for by connecting a rod 97 to an arm 98 from the jack rock shaft 94 which moves back and forth with the rocking of the shafts and swinging of the knives. This rod 97 Carries a suitable trip lock` 98 which only frees the foot lever 74 for' descent upon the completion ofthe cutting stroke each time and consequent return of the rod 97,`

thereby preventing the clutch from being tripped except at suchA times as the knives have cleared the peach and all is safe for Athe next movement of the carrier. If nothing interrupts the action of the knives the foot on the clutch lever rises and falls with each intermittent movement of the carrier, but the foot cannot fall for the next tripping `action until the knife travel is fully completed.

The oscillating blades and associated parts are shown in Figures 8 and 9. Each shaft 63 has an offset portion 99 on which the carriage y100 for the blade 79 is mounted. The carriage is itself mounted on a carrier 101 slidable perpendicularly with respect to the offset shaft 99 on guide pins 102. The carriage is pivoted to the carrier at 109'l for general rocking motion and is stabilized by two concealed springs 103, and the blade 79 is a slightly elongated arch secured at both ends to a rocking bar 104 pivoted transversely to the carriage at 105.

Hthin an opening in the carriage is a revolving face cam wheel 106 mounted on a small shaft 107 revolved by a universal and sliding joint connection 108 to internal shaft 80 passing through the shaft 63 as explained.

The revolving cam 106 engages a seat 109 in the under side of the rocking bar 104 so that the bar is constantly rocked at high speed as the cam revolves toproduce a circumferentially oscillating or sawing motion to the cutting edge of the blade, tho no teeth are used on the blade. The blade swings on an are through the half peach uponirocking the offset shaft 63 a half turn, and is free to rise and fall on the pins 1.02 for adjusting itself to the pit, being normally held down by the spring bearing against the pin' 109 at one side of the carriage, and is also free to rock on pin 109 for general displacement to accommodate itself to the pit, without in any way interfering with the constant rotation of the cam.

` lVhile 'I show a cam for oscillating the blade on its rocking bar it is evident that A A i 1,581,492

other arrangements may be used to accomplish the same result.

rIhe pitting blade isset to enter the stem `end of the peach through the pitting tables and just beyond the en'd of the pit as deter,- mined by the locating devicel 5 `as in the former machine, but is preferably arranged as shown 1n Flgure 10 to enter at one angle .to rise as thqe'blade advances. This produces a hugging action to the blade in rounding the pit 'curve and prevents it from flying out tangentially. e The peachesare automatically talliedv by contact with a. pivoted lever 111 arranged centrally s o that itl will pass between the impaling pins-6A when no peach is carried, but

will be tripped by each peach passing. Figf ure 2 shows the arrangement, .the lever 111 is supported on a suitable bracket 112 'and connects to a wirell passing through a tube 114 to operate a pull actuated counter suitably arranged at 115. The Wire and lever are returned to position each time by a suitable spring 116.

Referring to the appended claims I wish it to be understood that since my machine tho primarily designed for bisecting and pitting peaches, will also perform similarly on other fruit wit-hin its. capacity, and in u the case of pears, apples and the like,'will cut out the core of the halved fruit,t here forewhen I use the word peach, pit or pitting in the claims .it is with the intention that such words include any such fruit and core or coring as well, to cover such usage.

'1. in' a peach plaag machine 'of the char;

ac'ter described, `an arched blade mounted for travel in an.- arcuate path on an axis substantiall parallel tothe plane of the` arch and a apted'to cut outthehalf pit of a half peach presented thereto,means for presentingy a half peach thereto, means for swingingthebladeon its mountlng through the fruit,` andmeans-'for continuously oscillating the blade circumferentially while cut,-

ting the fruit.

2. In a peach pitting machine ofthe character described, means for pitting a half peach 'including an archedE blade adapted I for assing through the half peach around the alf pit thereof, means for`su porting a half peach in cutting relation to te blade, said blade being pivotally mounted to swing through the half peach-from a oNint nearer to its point of entry than-to lts point .of emergence.

3, In a peach .pitting machine ofthe char- Amovement around the pit.

acter. described, means for pittinga thalfpeach including an arched blade adapted for passing through the half peach around the half pit thereof, .means for supporting a half peach in cuttingv relation tothe blade, said blade being pivotally mounted to swing through-the half peach froma point nearer. to its, point of entry than to its point. of emergence, and the blade being of a flattened e section resiliently mounted with reference to its pivotal point to vdiverge slightly from the pit in ascending the` curve thereof pon entering the fruit and gradually' converge toward `the pit in descending the curvey be-. yond the crown thereof. j

4. In a peach pitting machineyan arched.

blade, means for moving the blade in an are around Fa half pit in a bisected peach, and

means for oscillating the blade vduring its 5. In a peach pittm'g machine, a rock mounted on the offset, and an arched blade mwounted on the frame substantially ,co-axial with the point `of oscillation.

shaft having an offset, an oscillating frame 4 y6. In a peach pitting machine .of lthe character described, a revolvably supported rock shaft, a carrier mounted on the rock shaft and freely adjustable in relation thereto`,arocker-pivotally mounted onthe carrierfand an arched blade secured at opposite ends to the. rocker, and means for simultaneously rocking said shaft and said rocker.

7. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, means for pitting bisected said shaft, a support thereon, an arched blade secured to a frame pivotally mounted i lto 'the support, a rotatableca'm associated with the support and engaging the `frame for, oscillatmg the same on its pivot, means for osillatingthe rock shaft, and means for Vrevolving the cam.

9. In a peach pitting' machine of the character described, means forV pitting bisected peaches including a hollow shaft with an offset, an arched blade pi'votally and adjustably supportedr on the offset, and driving means extending throu h the hollow shaft including universal anr .sliding joints ar- 'ranged for oscillating the blade-on its pivot and permit adjustment of the blade relative to the hollow shaft. v

peaches including a rock shaft, an-o'fset on 1'15 through the hollow lshaft arranged for oscillating the blade on its pivotal support and means for simultaneously yrevolving the g 'shaft I 10. a'N peach `pitting machine ofthe 130 character described, devices for holding the fruit centralized from the bloom and the stem ends, the device at the stem end being remaining on the fruit.

l2. In a peach pitting machine of the character described7 devices for holding the fruit centralized from the bloom and the stem ends, thel device at the stem end being of tubular form adapted to contact at its end with the depression at the stem end of the fruit. f

13. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, devices for holding the fruit centralized from the bloom and the stem ends, the device at the stem end being of tubular form adapted to contact at its end with the depression at the stemr end of the fruit, and the contacting tubular end being transversely slotted.

14. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, a rotatable carrier, peach receiving devices thereon adapted to centralize the fruit from the stem and bloom ends, the device at the Stem end being movablel in the plane of rotation of the carrier `from an operative to a non-operative position.

15. In a peach pitting machine of thel character described, a rotatable v carrier, peach receiving devices thereon adapted to centralize the fruit from the stem and bloom ends, the device at the stem end being slidably and pivotally movable from an operative to a non-operative position.

16. In a peach'pitting, machine of the character described, a rotatable carrier, peach receiving devices thereon adapted to centralize the fruit from the stem and bloom ends, the device at the stem end being slidably and pivotally movable in the plane of rotation of the carrier from an operative to a nonoperative position.

17. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, a rotatable carrier, devices thereon adapted to centralize a peach by impingement respectively against the stem end and the bloom'end thereof, and

means for lifting the device from the stem end perpendicularly from the peach and for then swinging it in the plant of yrotation of the carrier.

18. In a Ipeach pitting machine of the character described, a rotatable carrier, devices thereon adapted 4to centralize a peach by impingement respectively against the stem end and the bloom end thereof, and means for lifting the device from the stem Y en d perpendicularly from the peach and for having a plate-like portion adapted for securing to the mounting.

20. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, two sets of peach impaling pins, each set being mounted to move in an arc for impaling a peach between them, and each set comprising spaced pins joined by a plate adapted for clamping to the mounting.

21. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, a peach impaling device comprising a pair of spaced pins joined at one end only by a flat web all struck from l a common sheet of metal.

22. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, a pitting table, means for presenting a half peach tothe table and means for clamping it thereto, the clamping means comprising a stretched rubber band adapted to be forced against the half peach.

23. In a peach pitting machine of thecharacter described, a pitting table, means for presenting a half peach to the table and means for clamping it thereto, the clamping means comprising a stretchedrubber band adapted to be forced against the hallpeach and being relatively non-stretchable where it contacts the peach, and stretchable beyond thatpoint. f

24. In a peach pitting machine of the character described, a pitting table, means for presenting a half peach thereover, and/ means for clamping it thereto, the first means comprising an impaling device upon which the half peach is carried, and the'second means individual- -fieXible devices at either side of the impaling device, and means for forcing the flexible devices against the half peach.

25. Iny a peach pitting machine of the character described, a pitting table, means for presenting a half peach to the table and means for clamping it thereto, `the first means comprising a movable arm with 'an impaling pin projecting therefrom and on which the` half peach is impaled, and theA second means comprising a movable arm adjacent the first arm and having resilient means thereon at either side of the impaling pin adapted to' bepressed against the half peach and force it partly from the pin and against the table.

character described, a pitting table, means for presenting a half peach thereover and means for clamping it thereto, the first means comprising a movable arm with an impaling piny projecting therefrom and on 26. In a peach pitting machine of the ,125.

which the halfl peachis'impaled, and-the sec-ond'means `comprising a movable arm adjacent the first arm and having a pair 'of 27. In a peach pitting machine of' the' 'character described, a pitting table,-means for presenting a halfpeach-thereover and means for clamping it thereto, the clampingl means comprising two stretched rubber bands adapted to be vforced 'against the ronnded side of the half peach, one band to 1 5 either side of \the .center of the fruit.

28. In a fruit pitter of the character described, a rotatable carrier adapted tocarry the fruit past various instrumentalities for operating'thereon, a lever in the path 2 0 of the fruit adapted to be tripped thereby,- and a counter connected therewith adapted to record .the tripping of the lever,

29. In afruit pitter of the character described, a rotatable carrier having devices $5 thereon adaptedf to impinge the fruit' from opposite sides and` carry it past various instrumentalities" for 'operating thereon, a le- 'ver positionedl in the path of the fruit between the impinging devices adapted to be tripped by the fruit in passing, and a coun- 'ter connected therewithadapted to record thev tripping. ,v 30. In a machine of\ the character' vdescribed, a circular saw for bisecting fruit,

means orcarrying the fruit into engagement with and past the saw for bisecting it, a guard over thev rim ofthe saw at the portion :where the fruit leaves the same, and

means for separating the halves of the fruit 4,0 before passing the saw to clear the guard.-

31. Ina machine of the character'described, a rotatable carrier, means for intermittently advancing-the `carrier a frac-v scribed, a carrier rotatable around la, fixed' shaft, ruitrecejving'and centering 'levices 0' projecting radially from sald carrier, means for moving said devices in and out of operative positions embracing a stationary grooved face cam secured to the fixedshaft, vand cam rollers assoclated with the devices working 1n the' groove, said, groove having by the shaft may lan outwardly vdirected opening for the radial insertion of thejrollers into -the groove.

scribed, -a rotatable carrier and a pitting mechanism, fruit holding means projectingv from the carrier adapted to-carry fruit over the pitting mechanism, means for intermit- 34. In a machine of the character detently actuating the' carrier and the pitting mechanism, the .means actuating the pitting mechanism being resiliently connected whereby the mechanism maydag or stop in its operative movement.

35. In a'structure as defined in claim 34,

locking means for preventing the actuation of the carrier released by the completed movement of the pitting mechanism.

36. In a machine of the character. de- .scribed,a revolvable shaft, a curved blade mounted thereon and adapted to swing in a curve to c ut out a fruit pit, and yielding means for revolving said shaft wherelag upon the blade' meeting an obstruction.

37. In a machine of the class described, a rock shaft, a. curved blade mounted thereon and adapted to swing in a curve to cut out a V-fruit pit, said shaft being rocked one way by resilientmeansduring the cutting t,

character described, means for holding the 'fruit for. operation thereon by the machine including a centralizing ldevice adapted to impinge the stem end of the fruit and adapted to -straddle a piece of stem remaining on the fruit.

39. In a machine of thecharacter de-l scribed, a rotatable carrier and a mechanism -for pitting fruit carried y'the carrier, a lsource ofV power, transmission mechanism for alternately actuating the carrier and the pitting mechanism, a fot operated clutch for applying power to said transmission mechanism, and means for rendering the foot operated clutch inoperative during the pitting movement of the pitting mechanism.

40. In a machine of .the 'character vdescribed,a pair of fruit impaling` pins arranged in parallel spaced relationand integrally connected together at one end by a plate portion extending in the plane of the pins and adapted for securing. to a mounting` l itting J 41. In "a machine of the. character del sides ofthe saw vadapted for'cleanng the same.

42. In a machine of the character dcscribed, a power actuated saw, 'mea-ns. for.

passing peaches thereover for bisecting, capillary devices against the sides of the saw no and means for applying water tothe capillary devices. l

43. In a fruit pitting machine of the character described, a curved blade mounted to swing .in an arc to cut out a fruit pit, yielding means forpswinging said blade whereby the saine may lag upon meeting an obstruction.

44.*Ina fruit pitting machine ofthe character described, a bowedblade Jforming a complete arch mounted to swing Iin an arcuate path on an axis substantially parallel to the planey of the arch and adapted to cut around a Ahalf pit of a half peach presented thereto, means for positioning a y half peach A'in cutting relation to the blade,

. around;

and means for resiliently urging the blade bodily toward the pit While cutting there- 45. In a peach pitter of the character described, a shaft with an offset, a Jframe mounted on the oliset and guided for movement toward and from the main shaft axis, a rocker bar pivotally mounted on the frame, an arched blade secured to the rocker bar,

,resilient means for urging the frame toward the offset, and means for oscillating the bar. c

46. In a machine of the character described, endwise opposed pins arranged to move togethertoward alcommon center to impale fruit thereon from opposite sides of the `i'ruit and impinge endWise against the pit of the fruit for centering the same, said pins having a substantially uniform channel c ross section through their operative portions. p y

l 47. In a machinel of the character 'described, impaling devices for impaling fruit from op osite sides, means for posltively moving -t e devices in and outof the fruit, and a resilient element interposed in said means to cushion the inward movement.

48. In a fruit pitting machine of the character described, a bowed blade forming a. complete arch mounted to swing in an arcuate path on an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the arch and adapted to cut around a half pit of a half peachpresented thereto, means for positioning a half peach in cutting relation tothe blade, means for swinging the blade, and means for forcing the blade to resiliently hug the pit in cutting therearound.

' 49. In a structure as specified in claim 48, said blade being formed with its cutting edge in relation to its concave side that the latter will form a guard against the cutting edge striking the pit in passing tberearound.

50. In a fruit pitting machine of the character described, a blade forming a complete arch, said blade being mounted on a revolvable shaft and adapted to swing in an al' cuate path for cutting out a half pit from f a halfpeach presented thereto, means for positioning a half peach in cutting relation to the blade, means for` turning the shaft,

and means. adapting the blade to rise bodii ly over the pit in addition to its swinging movement with the shaft.

KJ5l. In a fruit pitting machine of the character described, a bowed blade formingJ an arch mounted to swing in an .arcuate path Aon an'aXis substantially parallel to the plane of the arch and resiliently supported to move bodily lendwise of the arch. l

52-In a fruit pitting machine of the character'described, a bowed blade forming an arch mounted to swing in an arcuate path on an axis substantiall parallel to the plane of the arch and resi iently pivoted to tip bodily endwise of the arch.

53. In a machine of' he character described, means 'for removing the half pits of halved fruit comprising, .means for sup- `I porting the half fruit for pitting, a curved blade forming a complete arch mounted to swing in an arc and to cut out the half pit of a half fruit so supported, and means for causing the arched blade to resiliently hug the pit in swinging the blade.

' JOSEPH P. BEM. 

